U.S. Ambassador to China Branstad and his wife flew back to the U.S. today.

U.S. Ambassador Branstad’s farewell video with his wife, October 2020 © U.S. Embassy in Beijing Twitter video clip

U.S. Ambassador to China Branstad and his wife left China today, October 4, to return to the United States after completing his ambassadorial duties. Before their departure, Branstad and his wife gave a parting speech at the Chinese website of the U.S. Embassy. He emphasized that his deep admiration for the Chinese people and Chinese culture will not change one bit.

U.S. Ambassador Branstad posted a video parting message on the U.S. Embassy’s Twitter account saying that he and his wife Chris will return to their home state of Iowa after living here for more than three years. He said important progress has been made in the last three years. But there is still much work to be done. It’s a challenging time in U.S.-China relations, he said. “We’re trying to rebalance our relationship so that it’s more fair and reciprocal. But I want all of you to know that one thing has not changed at all, and that is our deep appreciation for the Chinese people and Chinese culture.

These words reflect Washington’s current intention to separate the “Chinese Communist Party” from the “Chinese people” in its policy toward China. In this farewell video, Branstad said that he had visited 26 provinces and regions in China during his time there. He and his wife were interspersed with activities during their three years in China, including eating noodles and making dumplings, riding camels in Gansu, meeting with Flying Tigers in Yunnan, seeing ice lanterns in Harbin, taking pictures in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and spinning the menstrual wheel…. He said, “We are in your homes, meeting you, listening to your personal stories. This work is a great honor. We will return home, but we will never forget you. Finally, the Branstad couple said together in Chinese, “Thank you, we will see you again.

The departure of U.S. Ambassador Branstad is also linked to an event that demonstrates a lack of “reciprocity” between the U.S. and China: In August, Branstad contributed to the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party newspaper, in an attempt to explain to Chinese readers that U.S. policy toward China is based on “reciprocity. The principle. However, China refused to publish his article, and blocked the microblogging service of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that published it. In contrast to Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, who has freely expressed his views in major U.S. media outlets, this move demonstrates the disparity between the U.S. and China.

In September, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing announced the retirement of Ambassador Branstad, 73, and his departure from his post. Branstad’s departure will leave the U.S. ambassadorship to China vacant and will constitute a substantial diplomatic demotion. This is another step down in diplomatic relations since the U.S. and China have closed their consulates in Houston and Chengdu, respectively.